Is stainless steel oven safe? The simple answer is YES! However, we will help you figure out the dos and don’ts to put your stainless steel pan into the oven. Do you have a stainless steel pan that you want to use in the oven?
You might be wondering if it’s safe to put your stainless steel pans in the oven. The good news is that yes, they can go into the oven! But there are some things you need to know before using them. We’ve got all of those details and more here for you today. Let us help make sure your cookware lasts as long as possible with proper care and maintenance.
One of the best materials for cooking is stainless steel because it heats evenly and quickly, which means better tasting food and less time spent standing over a hot stove stirring or flipping ingredients around trying not to burn anything. It also won’t react with acidic foods like tomatoes or lemon juice, so it’s perfect for making dishes like tomato sauce or pasta salad where those flavors would otherwise get absorbed by other types of pots and pans. Plus, since stainless steel doesn’t leave a metallic taste in your meal (unlike aluminum), this makes it more versatile than any other cookware!
We know everyone has a preference on what type of cookware they want to put into oven like some folks prefer glass cookware pots while others prefer stainless steel. But is all Stainless Steel Oven Safe?
All-in-all we think this material is pretty great – but only when used properly! That’s why we’re sharing tips on safely using your stainless steel cookware in the oven right now…so read on!
How To Safely Use Stainless Steel Pans In The Oven!
6 Things to Look for when determining if you can put your stainless steel pan in the oven.
[Is Stainless Steel Oven Safe?]
- Is the handle made entirely of stainless steel? You must check all sides of the handle to ensure there are no plastic or wood decorative areas. As long as the entire skillet is stainless steel, it is safe to go into the oven. Can metal go into the oven? Yes, stainless steel metal is safe for the oven.
- Does your stainless steel pan already have some baked-on grease from the last meal? If so, then putting it into the oven will only further solidify the grease spots, making them harder to remove in the future.
- How heavy is your stainless steel pan? Lifting the pan filled with food into the oven can be difficult, incredibly cumbersome. We recommend using two potholders for this task.
- What type of food are you cooking in your stainless steel pan? “Is Stainless Steel Oven Safe?”, depends on what foods you are cooking too. If you are making something like sugar or caramel, then putting the metal pan directly into an oven can cause your pan to get a baked-on crust that might be hard to remove.
- What is your oven’s heat tolerance? Stainless steel can withstand reasonably high heat, but not all ranges are alike. If your stainless steel pan is not heat-rated for the highest setting of your oven, then it might be best to transfer food into another metal or heat-safe container before putting it into the oven.
- Are your stainless steel pots of high quality? Make sure they are 18/10 or 18/8 stainless. This will help you figure out the answer to the question “Is Stainless Steel Oven Safe?”
What is an Oven Safe Skillet?
A skillet is oven-safe if its handle can withstand direct heat and isn’t unsafe to put into the oven. Many types of skillets are oven-safe. These include cast iron, stainless steel, aluminum, ceramic, and others. However, they all have their upsides and downsides. If your stainless steel pan has a wooden or plastic handle, then you must not transfer your food directly from this material to an oven for safety reasons.
5 Ideas for Oven Safe Skillets
You may want to make a frittata, which usually requires you to start on the stovetop and then finish it in the oven. For a frittata, the most common pan is stainless steel or cast-iron skillet. In order to make an excellent frittata you’ll need to figure out which of your pans is oven safe. Is Stainless Steel Oven Safe?
#1 Stainless Steel Skillet
It’s a popular choice because it heats up quickly and evenly, which means you won’t end up with burnt or undercooked food. Plus, stainless steel skillets come in a wide variety of sizes – from very small to extra-large – so you can use them for most medium to large recipes.
#2 Cast Iron Skillet
Cast iron skillets are fantastic because they can retain heat for an extended period. Keeping heat makes cast iron ideal for recipes that require you to cook over an extended period on low or medium heat. Cast iron is somewhat of a staple in many kitchens, and it’s excellent for baking and roasting items.
#3 Aluminum Skillet
These skillets are lightweight and inexpensive but can get very hot on the stove and lead to burning or sticking food. Be sure you don’t cook tomatoes or other acidic foods in an aluminum pot; it will lead to metallic tasting food.
#4 Ceramic Skillet
A ceramic skillet is famous for frying eggs because it’s easy to clean, low maintenance, and doesn’t stick to the pan. Pure ceramic cookware is oven safe; however, make sure the handles are not plastic or wood.
#5 Porcelain Enamel Cookware
Porcelain enamel cookware consists of two metal layers. The interior contains aluminum or steel, while the exterior has porcelain fused for a non-reactive cooking surface that’s easy to clean and won’t rust. However, if you drop porcelain enamel cookware onto a high enough hard surface, it can chip. People often write in to ask us, “can you put porcelain in the oven?” The answer is yes.
Can Metal Pots Go in the Oven?
First and foremost, determine if your pots are true stainless metal or other metal.
A stainless steel alloy comprises chromium, manganese, and nickel. This type of metal can withstand very high heat and not melt at temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. If your pot has a wooden or plastic handle, then you will. Know for sure that it cannot go into an oven.
If your pots and pans are pure stainless steel, then they can go into the oven. Have some baking soda on hand to scrub your stainless steel pots after they come out of an oven.
Before deciding between ceramic vs. stainless steel cookware, it’s best to read up on the pros and cons of each type. If you want to do a lot of baking in stainless steel pans, get a stainless steel cookware set.
If you want to learn more about oven-safe cookware check out our post on dutch ovens vs roasting pans.
Oven Safe Pans
If you want good oven-safe stainless steel pans, then you’ll want to make sure that your cookware is 18/10 or 18/8 stainless. High-quality stainless steel ensures the most significant corrosion resistance and durable cookware on the market. The cookware will last a lot longer and resist corrosion. It’s important to remember that you’ll have your stainless for a long time, so investing more upfront could give you the cookware you need for a long time.
Pans that are Not Safe for the Oven
You never want to put nonstick pans, copper pans, or other types of Teflon pans into an oven. When they heat up to extreme temperatures, the off-gassing is unhealthy. Nonstick pans are not designed to withstand this heat and can warp. You should only use non-stick pots and pans on the stovetop or in the oven under particular conditions, such as using a low setting or cooking foods that don’t require high heat.
So you don’t have to wonder if you can bake in stainless steel because the answer is that you sure can! You can even bake cupcakes and muffins in a mini stainless steel muffin pan.
Baking with stainless steel pans is excellent for people who want to minimize toxins in their life. If you like cooking with pfas free cookware, stainless steel is a great start.
Best Tips for Putting Stainless Steel in the Oven
- Use a high-quality stainless steel cookware set.
- Do not let the temperature of the oven go above 500°F. Therefore do not use the broil function on the stove because the broiler can often allow the temperature to get over 500°F.
- Cleaning stainless steel is a little more complex than non-stick. Use a small amount of oil before putting the stainless steel pan into the oven. Doing this will ensure that you can easily clean your pan.
- Allow your stainless steel pan to cool down to room temperature before you attempt to clean it.
How to clean a stainless steel pan that has come out of the oven baked on grease?
First Step for cleaning a stainless steel pan that went into the oven
Soak the pan if you can allow it to soak overnight.
Second Step
Drain the water, add dish soap, and use the scrubbing part to get off the main problem areas. Now assess the situation.
Third Step
Do you still have a very thick crusty layer of food?
If so, add water, take a metal spoon and scrape away the main chunks.
Fourth Step
Add baking soda, then take a disposable towel and begin wiping the baking soda away, and most of your layers of food will easily wipe off with the baking soda. You usually do not have to put any muscle into this; the baking soda clings to it and helps release the food.
If you still have food crusted on your stainless steel pan that came out of the oven, then you may need to allow it more time to soak.
Final Thoughts On: Is Stainless Steel Oven Safe?
Stainless steel oven-safe cookware is an excellent option for avoiding harmful toxins in your cooking. By following our few simple tips and tricks, you can use your stainless steel pots and pans in the oven with ease. Just make sure to read our guide for the best practice when putting stainless steel pans in the oven. More importantly, be sure to check your handles for any material that may melt at high temperatures. Some stainless steel oven-safe cookware models have silicone handles, and you can use these in the oven without a problem.
So you don’t have to wonder if you can bake in stainless steel because the answer is that you sure can!